[Tudor Ranger] oh yes baby. It sold me in person.

Just snagged this! I went into the AD thinking I would hate it because of community bias, but I actually fell in love with it - quickly. Aesthetically, I realized that the bias made me compare this too much to the Explorer - aka the epitome of a Tool watch for many. That’s certainly a watch I’d like down the road. But in reality, I realized that many YouTubers - who I all love, but critically want to rip my ears apart @ times - were way too quick to review this watch without either seeing it in person, or spending time with it in different living scenarios - except WatchCrunch of course :)

Thoughts on my experience:

- For the value, it’s great. A COSC certified in-house MT5402 movement with a 70 hour power reserve is incredible in the traditional Tool watch world (leaving Dive watches out of the scenario for this, please). 
- 39mm. I have small wrists, so this is always a win. I would love to see a 37mm variant of this, but not sure if I would like it. My 37mm gem is my trusty Rado Captain Cook (Patina Limited Edition). I think this size is great.
- Dial real-estate / design (IMPORTANT): I think this watch shines in different lighting conditions. Press pics / YouTubers may have yellow lighting in their scenarios which is exaggerating the appearance of the off-white “patina” markers. In reality, it’s really not nearly as patina looking in person. I would like to see it a hair closer to white, but I feel that pure white would take away from the nice texture you have on the painted numerals. I do not think applied would look good with this type face, and I think the textured paint looks beautiful in certain lighting conditions. 
- Hands- the lighting of the press pics don’t showcase the mirrored casing of the hands - this brings sharpness to the aesthetic. I would like to see a cooler hour hand, but in person is nice. Noting special. 
- Case / Bracelet: Solid. But for the proper Tool watch fans - incredible. the T-Fit Clasp is awesome and the overall brushing of the watch looks amazing in natural light. The tapered bracelet is amazing.I have shared plenty of natural light pictures here, because this watch is made to thrive in the outdoors…..
- Value Prop: I see this as a bigger brother to the Traska Summiteer, a more wrist-friendly competitor to the Omega Rail-master, and an alternative (perhaps competitor) to the IWC Spitfire in terms of Specs and size. I cannot compare this to an Explorer, nor do I think it makes sense to (#hottake)

I love this watch so far, my collection (Speedy 38, Captain Cook 37, Tank, Kurono 34mm, Nomos 36, Grand Seiko 39, and more) was missing a proper, robust, and reliable tool watch that I can throw on for any scenario - and this fits it perfectly. Cheers!

Specs:

* Five year GuaranteeFive-year transferable guarantee with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required
* Case39 mm steel case, satin finish
* MovementManufacture Calibre MT5402 (COSC)Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
* Power ReservePower reserve of approximately 70 hours
* Winding CrownScrew-down winding crown in steel with the TUDOR rose in relief
* WaterproofnessWaterproof to 100 m (330 ft)
* BezelSmooth satin-brushed steel
* DialBlack, domed
* CrystalDomed sapphire crystal
* BraceletSteel bracelet with three links and a folding clasp with the TUDOR “T-fit” safety catch